Crew'sers-

Well, it finally happened. I was driving down the road and the passenger side inner tie rod let go. Thank god I just had come out of a corner and not going but 15-20 miles an hour. As I straightened the wheel out the front end started to wobble and I romped on the brakes and got her stopped quick. I got out and looked at the frontend, thought I blew a tire or broke a bead, but it all looked O.K. I looked underneath and saw the tire rod hanging down. It scared the crap out of me cause I had the 3 yr. old and the 5 month old in the truck when it happened. If I had been going down the highway at speed, we for sure would have rolled it and could have gotten real hurt or killed. My personal suggestion if screw the inspection every 15,000 miles just replace them now. I ordered all new tie rods (all 4) plus the sleeves (rods they attach to) for $164, all MOOG parts. It's a small price to pay for piece of mind. Anyone know how to contact Ford to let them know what happened?

LT Dan

 

Glad to hear everything is alright, I have on '01 supercab that I use for work and I got a letter while back, can't remember if it was from Ford or the company I work for, but it said to make sure they inspect the tie rods everytime I take it in, I have to take it in every 5k miles for maintenance. They also gave me a sheet what to look for if I took it to anywhere else than a dealer. I don't know if this is an issure, but it sure sounds like it.

 

i never got the notice, thanks, mine is a 2001. i will be sure to ask at the dealer tomorrow...........2001 white and gold super, mod. added gold flares wheel wells and nerf bars. other ford, wifes 95 black limited explorer......

 

Ford has un going problems with tie rods in the 97 to 02 F-150, If your under 3 years 60,000 km in Canada, Ford will cover you under warenty, If not, owner pays to replace tie rods....Ford sent me a letter when I had my 02 on how inspection tie rods and advised that every 20,000 km Tie rods are to be inspected...at 40,000 km the Front suspension was under going it's third rebuild, from ball jionts, to idler arm, ties rods, sway baqr link + bushing's.......

 

What do you do to your truck? I'm at 55K miles and things are still nice and tight, and it sees lots of off-road use.

 

Do you need to do a wheel alignment if I replace the inner and outter tie rod ends?

 

Yes anytime you change something on your front end it is recomended to get it realigned. You dont have to but then again its not my tires you are driving on
-Patrick

 

Real typical issue for all of the 2001's. Which is why I traded mine in as soon as the 02's came out. Ford knows of the problem and will only inspect it "if you ask ".....

 

02's have the same tie rod ends.

 

Got my truck back the other day and WOW what a difference. I HIGHLY recommend getting the MOOG parts. I replaced everything, Inner, Outer ends and the sleeves, not taking anymore chances. I had the mechanic save the old tie rods and ends, now talk about junk. One of the other ends had the boots cracked and grease coming out. The joints were near impossible to move by hand, freaking rediculous. The one that broke had been dry for a while or no grease in it ever. The whole ball was scored and had flat spots. The boot had no cracks in it or tears, so I wonder if it was ever originally greased. Anyway, anyone know how I can get in contact with Ford so I can send them in for them to look at, maybe actually fix the problem.

LT Dan

 

When I brought mine in for an oil change last spring, I was only getting a very basic Oil change, (No other goodies), When I went ouside to have a look at the progress, the mechanic came to see me and asked me if it was my truck, then he brough me over to the truck that was up on the lift, he said: "I know you only wanted the oil changed, but I still like to check-out the tie-rods just in case, and look..." he then showed me the play in the drivers side outer Tie-rod.

I changed them myself the following saturday with MOOG.

 

Do you guys have the website and/or part numbers for the tie rods? They have never been checked and I am the 2nd owner of the truck. The guy before me took if offroad a bit. Now the steering is a bit loose.